Semi trailer dolly

ABSTRACT

A dolly is disclosed for a semi-trailer that has a compromised structure due to a load shift or an accident. The semi-trailer dolly can also be used to extricate a semi-trailer stuck under a bridge without damaging the wheels or tires of the semi-trailer. In accordance with an important aspect of the present invention, the dolly is configured to provide transverse support of a semi-trailer in an area between the rear axles of the semi-trailer and the front of the semi-trailer. More particularly, the dolly is configured to provide a uniform transverse lifting force to a semi-trailer in an area between the rear axles of a semi-trailer and the front of a semi-trailer where a structural failure of the semi-trailer is likely to occur. The semi-trailer dolly includes a removable saddle and a wheeled cart that includes lifting mechanisms. The removable saddle can be removed from the wheeled cart and positioned under the trailer. Tow truck boom winches connected to opposite sides of the saddle can then be used to lift the saddle and thus the trailer to enable the wheeled cart to be put in position under the saddle. Once the wheeled cart is positioned under the saddle, adjustable lifting mechanisms on the wheeled cart enable the height of the saddle to be varied. The lifting mechanisms are then used to level the floor of the semi-trailer and provide support for the floor of the semi-trailer  24  so that the breached semi-trailer can be transported by a tractor. The wheeled cart may include self steering wheels which facilitate transport of the breached semi-trailer by a tractor.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional application of U.S. Patent ApplicationNo. 11/958,950, filed on Dec. 18, 2007.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a dolly for use with a semi-trailerthat has a compromised structure due to a load shift or an accident andcan also be used in applications where semi-trailers get stuck under lowbridges.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Various situations are known in which semi-trailers can not betransported in a normal fashion. For example, in some situations, thesemi-trailers become structurally compromised due to a load shift oraccident. In situations where there is a load shift, the structuralintegrity of the semi-trailer becomes compromised at an unsupportedlocation between the front of the trailer, attached to the fifth wheelof the tractor and the rear axle, for example, as generally shown inFIG. 11. In such a situation, the load must first be removed from thetrailer, typically by hand, onto another semi-trailer at the scene ofthe incident before the damaged semi-trailer can be moved.Unfortunately, the unloading of the damaged semi-trailer can causeadditional structural damage and also create a personnel hazard sincethe incident can occur anywhere including a busy highway.

In yet other situations, semi-trailers are known to get stuck under lowbridges. In normal situations, the height of a all bridges on a truckroute is known to avoid such situations. On occasion, due to, forexample, road construction, it is necessary for a truck to travel on anunplanned route. Should the semi-trailer get stuck under a low bridge,known methods for extricating the semi-trailer from the bridge. Inparticular, in a situation in which a semi-trailer gets stuck under abridge, normally the load is removed, as discussed above. After the loadis removed, the air is let out of all of the tires and the trailer isdragged out from under the bridge, likely causing damage to the tiresand wheels and the trailer itself.

In both situations, the load must be removed from the semi-trailerfirst. After the load is removed, the semi-trailer must eventually becleared from the roadway. Ideally, a dolly could be used to transportthe semi-trailer without removing the load.

Various types of dollies for various applications are known in the art.These dollies are known to be useful for various purposes. Examples ofsuch dollies are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,768,802; 5,727,920;5,839,876; 6,290,248; 6,663,131; 6,843,487; 6,929,249; 7,275,345; and7,275,753. Such dollies are also disclosed in UK Published Specification1 563 796, all hereby incorporated by reference.

For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,839,876; and 7,275,345 all relate todollies for lifting heavy objects. In particular, U.S. Pat. No.5,839,876 a dolly with a platform capable of lifting and rotating toenable eased transport of large, heavy objects, such as furniture andother heavy objects. The dolly includes casters for transport.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,275,345 discloses a lifting device used to support anobject, such as furniture. The container has a false bottom with ahidden cavity containing a wheeled platform. The wheeled platform isexposed when the pneumatic lift bladder is filled and is heightadjustable to preference and need (see column 1, lines 6-9; and column2, lines 40-47). The lifting device includes casters for transport.Unfortunately none of the lifting devices disclosed in theabove-mentioned patents are suitable for use with a semi-trailer withcompromised structural integrity due to a load shift or an accident orfor use in extricating a semi-trailer stuck under a low bridge.

Dollies are also known for use in transporting vehicles. For example,U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,727,920; 6,843,487; 6,929,249; 7,275,753 and UKPublished Specification 1 563 796 all disclose dollies for use intransporting vehicles that have been disabled. These dollies all havelifting capability.

In particular, U.S. Pat. No. 5,727,920 discloses a configurable dollywhich includes a frame with a trailer hitch on one end and an axlesupporting a pair of wheels on the opposing end. The height of the framecan be adjusted as well as the distance between the wheels to enable thedolly to be configured for a variety of applications. The dollydisclosed in the ‘920 patent is adapted to carry an entire vehicle, suchas a car, motorcycle or a boat after the dolly has been configured.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,843,487 discloses a lift structure that moveablysupports an automobile with the loss of one wheel for transport. Thedevice allows the automobile to travel along roadways or other surfacesto a repair facility. The device is secured in position to mobilize thevehicle. Attachment is achieved using gripping members that arepneumatically activated via an inflatable bladder. The lift structuredisclosed in the ‘487 patent is adapted to provide support adjacent onewheel well 12 (FIG. 1) of a four wheeled vehicle.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,929,249 discloses a collapsible lift platform thatengages a surface upon pneumatic expansion of an internal bladder. Theair bladder can be filled by either an electric or mechanical (e.g. footpump) air pump. The lift platform illustrated in FIGS. 1-5 appears to beused for lifting and supporting an area of an automobile frame, and canbe stored in the vehicle trunk, as illustrated in FIG. 7. An optionalembodiment, illustrated in FIG. 6, includes casters enable transport ofthe platform after lifting The device disclosed in FIG. 6 of the ‘240patent is used to lift heavy furniture items, such as televisions .

U.S. Pat. No. 7,275,753 discloses a bi-axle dolly cradle useful forraising and towing disabled vehicles. The dolly is adapted to raise oneend of a disabled vehicle. One end of the disabled vehicle is carried bythe dolly which has two axles and two sets of wheels. Once the disabledvehicle is lifted onto the dolly, the other end of the disabled vehiclecan be towed.

International patent GB 1,563,796 discloses an automobile retrievalsystem for use in applications when the damage to the vehicle makes itimpossible to tow the vehicle or transport the vehicle via trailer. Thesystem utilizes an airbag, which can be deflated to a relatively flatcondition, and support members that can raise the vehicle up toapproximately 1 foot. The system includes cradles for lifting a vehicleon one end by forming a cradle around the tires and lifting the cradle.Unfortunately, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,727,920; 6,843,487; 6,929,249; 7,275,753and UK Published Specification 1 563 796 are not suitable forsemi-trailers.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,768,802; 6,290,248; and 6,663,131 disclose dollieswhich include “fifth-wheel” assemblies for towing semi trailers. Thedollies disclosed in these patents have no lifting capability.Unfortunately, none of these devices can be used to lift and enabletransport of a semi-trailer with structural damage.

Thus, there is a need for a device for lifting and transportingsemi-trailers with compromised structural integrity. There is also aneed for a device for use in extricating trailers stuck under bridgesand subsequent transport of the semi-trailer , if necessary withoutresulting in any damage to the wheels or tires of the semi-trailer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly, the present invention relates to a dolly for a semi-trailerthat has a compromised structure due to a load shift or an accident. Thesemi-trailer dolly can also be used to extricate a semi-trailer stuckunder a bridge without damaging the wheels or tires of the semi-trailer.In accordance with an important aspect of the present invention, thedolly is configured to provide transverse support of a semi-trailer inan area between the rear axles of the semi-trailer and the front of thesemi-trailer. More particularly, the dolly is configured to provide auniform transverse lifting force to a semi-trailer in an area betweenthe rear axles of a semi-trailer and the front of a semi-trailer where astructural failure of the semi-trailer is likely to occur. Thesemi-trailer dolly includes a removable saddle and a wheeled cart thatincludes lifting mechanisms. The removable saddle can be removed fromthe wheeled cart and positioned under the trailer. Tow truck boomwinches connected to opposite sides of the saddle can then be used tolift the saddle and thus the trailer to enable the wheeled cart to beput in position under the saddle. Once the wheeled cart is positionedunder the saddle, adjustable lifting mechanisms on the wheeled cartenable the height of the saddle to be varied. The lifting mechanisms arethen used to level the floor of the semi-trailer and provide support forthe floor of the semi-trailer 24 so that the breached semi-trailer canbe transported by a tractor. The wheeled cart may include self steeringwheels which facilitate transport of the breached semi-trailer by atractor.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other advantages of the present invention will be readilyunderstood with reference to the following specification and attacheddrawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a three dimensional view of a semi-trailer dolly in accordancewith the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded three dimensional view of the dolly illustrated inFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of the dolly illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the dolly illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the dolly illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the dolly illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a partial side elevational view of the dolly illustrated inFIG. 1, shown with the wheels removed, illustrating a first set of airsprings in an expanded position and a second set of air springs in arelaxed position

FIG. 8 is a partial side elevational view of the dolly illustrated inFIG. 1, shown with the wheels removed, illustrating a first set of airsprings in a relaxed position and a second set of air springs in anexpanded position.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of an exemplary tow bar for use in towing thedolly, illustrated in FIG. 1 into place.

FIG. 10 is an elevational view of a device that allows a saddle portionof the dolly illustrated in FIG. 1 to be slid or dragged under asemi-trailer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a dolly for a semi-trailer that has acompromised structure due to a load shift or an accident. Thesemi-trailer dolly can also be used to extricate a semi-trailer stuckunder a bridge without damaging the wheels or tires of the semi-trailer.In accordance with an important aspect of the present invention, thedolly is configured to provide transverse support of a semi-trailer inan area between the rear axles of the semi-trailer and the front of thesemi-trailer. More particularly, the dolly is configured to provide auniform transverse lifting force to a semi-trailer in an area betweenthe rear axles of a semi-trailer and the front of a semi-trailer where astructural failure of the semi-trailer is likely to occur. Thesemi-trailer dolly includes a removable saddle and a wheeled cart thatincludes lifting mechanisms. The removable saddle can be removed fromthe wheeled cart and positioned under the trailer. Tow truck boomwinches connected to opposite sides of the saddle can then be used tolift the saddle and thus the trailer to enable the wheeled cart to beput in position under the saddle. Once the wheeled cart is positionedunder the saddle, adjustable lifting mechanisms on the wheeled cartenable the height of the saddle to be varied. The lifting mechanisms arethen used to level the floor of the semi-trailer and provide support forthe floor of the semi-trailer 24 so that the breached semi-trailer canbe transported by a tractor. The wheeled cart may include self steeringwheels which facilitate transport of the breached semi-trailer by atractor.

Referring first to FIGS. 11 and 12, FIG. 11 illustrates a tractortrailer, generally identified with the reference numeral 20, whichincludes a tractor or truck 22 and a semi-trailer 24. The semi-trailer24 includes a pair of rear axles and wheels, identified with thereference numerals 26 and 28. Known semi-trailers 24 do not include afront axle and instead rely on the rear axles 30 and 32 of the tractor22 for rolling support. Such semi-trailers 24 are known to be coupled tothe tractor 22 by way of a “fifth wheel” coupling 34.

Because of weight considerations, such semi-trailers are formed with auni-body construction in which the roof and the walls are designed tohelp support the load in order to enable a lighter frame structure underthe floor. When the roof and/or sidewalls become damaged, for example,due to an unintended load shift, due to an accident, for example oroverloading and even when the semi-trailer gets stuck under a lowbridge, such damage reduces the ability of the semi-trailer 24 abilityto provide nominal support causing failure of the semi-trailer 24. Inresponse to such a condition, the semi-trailer 24 is likely to failbetween tits rear axles 26, 28 and the rear axles 30 and 32 of thetractor 22, as generally shown in FIG. 11.

As will be discussed in detail below, the semi-trailer dolly inaccordance with the present invention, generally identified with thereference numeral 36, can be positioned under the semi-trailer 24 at apoint where a breach in the floor has occurred, i.e at a point 38 wherethe floor of the semi-trailer 24 buckled, as generally illustrated inFIG. 12. Once the semi-trailer dolly 36 is properly positioned under thesemi-trailer 24, the semi-trailer 24 can be moved from the scene of thebreach by the tractor 22 to a. safe off the road location to transferthe contents of the breached semi-trailer 24 to another trailer oralternatively to a nearby warehouse.

The semi-trailer dolly 36 includes a wheeled cart 38 and a saddle 40. Insituations in which the extent of the breach of the semi-trailer 24results in the buckled portion of the floor of the semi-trailer 24 beinglower than the minimum height of the dolly 36, the saddle can be removedfrom the dolly 36 and slid under the semi-trailer 24 buckled portion ofthe floor of the semi-trailer 24. Tow trucks with booms and winches canthen be positioned on opposite sides of the semi-trailer dolly 36 andused to lift the saddle to a height sufficient to position the wheeledcart beneath the saddle. Air springs located on the wheeled cart areused for providing vertical lift. These air springs are then extendedunder the influence of a pressurized air supply to raise the height ofthe saddle to a height to level the floor of the semi-trailer 24, asgenerally illustrated in FIG. 12 to provide rolling support for the loadin the breached semi-trailer 24 to enable transport of the breachedsemi-trailer 24 by the tractor 22.

As mentioned above and as best shown in FIG. 2, the semi-trailer dolly36 is a two-piece device and includes a wheeled cart 38 and a removablesaddle 40. The wheeled cart 38 includes a generally rectangular frame 42coupled to at least one or more axles 44 and 46. The rectangular frame42 includes two generally elongated frame members 43 and 45 and twoshorter frame members 47 and 49. The length of the elongated framemembers 43 and 45 is selected to be longer than the wheel base of theaxles 44 and 46. The length of the shorter frame members is selected toprovide stable support for a saddle that can be used to providetransverse support of a standard 102 inch wide semi-trailer.

The rectangular frame 42 is carried by two axles 44 and 46. A pluralityof wheel assemblies 48, 50, 52 and 54 are rotatably coupled to the axles44 and 46. As shown, the wheel assemblies 48, 50, 52 and 54 areconnected directly to the axles 44 and 46 and offer no steeringcapability. Alternately, steerable axles could be provided for the axles44 and 46, for example, as described in detail in U.S. Pat. Nos.4,768,802 and 6,820,887,hereby incorporated by reference. In yet othercontemplated embodiments, self steering wheel assemblies could beprovided for the wheel assemblies 48, 50, 52 and 54, for example asdescribed in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 4,770,430, hereby incorporated byreference. In such an embodiment, the wheel assembly pairs 48, 50 and52, 54 may be interconnected by way of tie rods (not shown) so that theeach pair of wheel assemblies 48, 50 and 52, 54 steer together.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the axles 44 and 46 are attached to therectangular frame 42 by way of a plurality of vertical arms 56, 58, 60and 62 (FIG. 2); a plurality of swing arms 64, 66 (FIGS. 7 and 8), 68and 70 (FIG. 2) and a plurality of brackets 72, 74, 76 and 78 (FIG. 5).As best shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the swing arms 64, 66, 68 and 70 arepivotally mounted to the vertical arms 64, 66, 68 and 70. Liftingmechanisms, such as air springs 76, 78, 80 and 82 (FIG. 2), are securelydisposed between the brackets 72, 74, 76 and 78 (FIG. 5) and theelongated frame members 43 and 45 (FIG. 2).

FIG. 8 illustrates a relaxed position for the air springs 76, 78, 80 and82, i.e a condition in which the air springs 76, 78, 80 and 82 (FIG. 2)are subject to minimal air pressure. FIG. 7 illustrates an extendedposition for the air springs 76, 78, 80 and 82, i.e a condition in whichthe air springs 76, 78, 80 and 82 (FIG. 2) have been pressurized by asource of external air pressure (not shown). These air springs 76, 78,80 and 82 (FIG. 2) allow the height of the generally rectangular frame42 (FIG. 2) to be varied with respect to the axles 44 and 46 (FIGS. 7and 8). More particularly, in a relaxed position as shown in FIG. 8, thedistance between the axles 44 and 46 and the generally rectangular frame42 (FIG. 2) is minimal. As shown in FIG. 7, when the air springs 76, 78,80 and 82 are fully extended, as indicated by the arrow 84, the distancebetween the axles 44 and 46 and the generally rectangular frame 42 (FIG.2) is increased. As such the air springs 76, 78, 80 and 82 serve as onelifting mechanism and in some embodiments of the invention may be theonly lifting mechanism.

The wheeled cart 38 may also include a bumper 86 (FIGS. 2 and 4). Thebumper is attached to one of the shorter frame members 47, 49 of thegenerally rectangular frame 42. As shown in FIG. 2, the bumper 86 isfixedly attached to the frame member 49 by way of a pair of spaced apartbrackets 88 and 90. The bumper 86 may be used carry tail lights,generally indicated with the reference numeral 92, which can be used inthe event the semi-trailer's tail lights and/or electrical system aredamaged or are not operational. The bumper 86 can also be used to carryone or more electrical connectors that can be connected on one end totemporary lights (not shown) on the back of the semi-trailer 24.

As mentioned above, in accordance with an important aspect of theinvention, the semi-trailer dolly 36 includes a removable saddle 40(FIG. 2). The saddle 40 is formed as a generally rectangular or squareframe which includes a plurality of frame members 94, 96, 98 and 100.The saddle frame may be formed to be adjustable in a transversedirection, i.e. a direction parallel to the axles 44 and 46, as well asa vertical direction, i.e. perpendicular to the axles 44 and 46, withrespect to the wheeled cart 38. Alternately, the saddle frame 40 mayinclude the capability for no adjustment or adjustment in one or theother of the transverse direction or vertical direction.

In embodiments which incorporate adjustments of the width of the saddleframe 40, two of the oppositely disposed and spaced apart frame members94 and 96 (FIG. 2) are provided with adjustment bars 102, 104, 106 and108, which, in conjunction with the frame members 98 and 100, enable thewidth of the saddle 40 to be adjusted, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4.More particularly, FIG. 3 illustrates a condition in which the width ofthe saddle 40 is expanded, for example, with respect to the wheelassemblies 52 and 54 while FIG. 4 illustrates a condition in which thewidth of the saddle 40 is compressed with respect to the wheelassemblies 52 and 54, as indicated by the arrows 104 and 106.

These adjustment bars 102, 104, 106 and 108 (FIG. 2) may be securedadjacent opposing ends of the spaced apart frame members 94 and 96 so asto be generally parallel to the axles 44 and 46, as best shown in FIG.2. As shown, each of the adjustment bars 102, 104, 106 and 108 includesa plurality of apertures, generally identified with the referencenumeral 110. As mentioned above, the adjustment bars 102, 104, 106 and108 cooperate with the saddle frame members 98 and 100 to provideadjustment of the width of the saddle 40, as discussed above. Moreparticularly, the adjustment bars 102, 104, 106 and 108 may be formedwith a hollow cross-section to enable mating with the frame members 98and 100. As shown, the adjustment bars 102, 104, 106 and 108 are formedwith a generally rectangular cross-section slightly larger than thecross-section of the saddle frame members 98 and 100 to allow the endsof the saddle frame members 98 and 100 to be received, as best shown inFIG. 5. Fasteners or pins 111, 112, 114 and 116 may be used to securelycouple the saddle members 98 and 100 to the adjustment bars 102, 104,106 and 108 to form a saddle at the desired width.

In situations where the extent of the breach of the semi-trailer 24 issuch that the saddle 40 must be removed and placed under the floor ofthe semi-trailer 24, the saddle 40 may be slid into place. In order toprevent wear and damage to the saddle 40 and to facilitate positioningof the saddle 40 under the semi-trailer 24, “shoes” 118 (FIG. 10) , maybe removably connected to the saddle 40. In particular, each shoe 118includes slide surface 120 and a vertical bracket 122. The verticalbracket 122 includes an aperture 124. The shoe 118 can be removablyconnected to the saddle 40. More particularly, the shoe 118 can beconnected to the adjustment bars 102, 104, 106 and 108 (FIG. 2) by wayof the pins 102, 104, 106 and 108 or additional pins (not shown).

As mentioned above, the saddle 40 is carried by the wheeled cart 38. Inembodiments in which the initial height of the saddle 40 is adjustablewith respect to the rectangular frame 42 of the wheeled cart 38,vertical adjustment bars 126, 128, 130 and 132 are provided. Theseadjustment bars 126, 128, 130 and 132 are received in apertures 134,136, 138 and 140 formed in the shorter frame members 47 and 49 of therectangular frame 42, forming a portion of the wheeled cart 38. Theconfiguration allows the vertical adjustment bars 126, 128, 130 and 132to be coupled to the frame members 98 and 100 of the saddle 40 at adesired height and secured thereto by way of pins 150, 152, 154 and 156(FIG. 2). In the embodiment shown, the adjustment bars 126, 128, 130 and132 are free to move up and down in the apertures 134, 136, 138 and 140formed in the shorter frame members 47 and 49 of the rectangular frame42, forming a portion of the wheeled cart 38. Each of the verticaladjustment bars 126, 128, 130 and 132 may include a stop, generallyidentified with the reference numeral 158. The stops 158 may be used tolimit downward movement of the vertical adjustment bars 126, 128, 130and 132 within the apertures 134, 136, 138 and 140, formed in theshorter frame members 47 and 49 of the wheeled cart 38.

An additional lifting mechanism may be provided to raise the height ofthe saddle 40 relative to the wheeled cart 38. More particularly,additional air springs 158, 160, 162 and 164 may be provided to adjustthe height of the saddle 40 with respect to the frame 42 of the wheeledcart 38 as generally shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. In particular, FIG. 7illustrates a condition in which the air springs 158, 160, 162 and 164are in a relaxed position while FIG. 8 indicates a condition in whichthe air springs 158, 160, 162 and 164 are in an extended position due tothe influence of air pressure, as indicated by the arrows 166.

With reference to FIG. 2, the air springs 158, 160, 162 and 164 aresecurely carried by gusset plates 166, 168, 170 and 172, secured in thecorners of the generally rectangular frame 42, forming a portion of thewheeled cart 38. In this embodiment, the air springs 158, 160, 162 and164 are configured to exert an upward force on the stops 158, discussedabove, under the influence of air pressure, as best shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary tow bar 180 that can be used to tow thedolly 36 or just the wheeled cart 38 into place underneath asemi-trailer 24. The tow bar 180 is formed as a wishbone with twodependent legs 182 and 184, joined at one end. The free ends of the ofthe tow bar 180 may be provided with apertures (not shown) and pins 186and 188 that enable the tow bar 180 to be coupled to the bumper 86. Inparticular, the brackets 88 and 90, used to connect the bumper 86 to therectangular frame 42 may be provided with apertures 190, as best shownin FIG. 6 to enable the tow bar 180 to be coupled to the dolly 36.

Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present inventionare possible in light of the above teachings. Thus, it is to beunderstood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the inventionmay be practiced otherwise than as specifically described above.

What is claimed and desired to be covered by a Letters Patent is asfollows:

1. A dolly for a semi-trailer comprising: a wheeled cart which includesa frame and at least one axle for rotatably carrying at least two wheelassemblies for providing rolling support for the wheeled cart; aremovable saddle configured to be carried by the wheeled cart; and alifting mechanism for selectively varying the height of the saddlerelative to the wheeled cart.